Friday, July 24, 2009

Have you ever noticed how your hairstylist could probably double as your therapist? I was getting my hair done today by a girl who I have been going to for a couple of years now and really like her work. I not only like the way she does my hair but I also really like her personality and I think that now that I am in my mid 30’s this does play a part in who I choose to do my hair. I am certainly not selling her skills short by any stretch but the fact that I like her “council” since she is a smart, caring and delightful person does not hurt and probably helps when it comes to doing my hair.

I had never really thought about it until I was in her chair today and overheard another woman on a rant about some random thing that was obviously very important to her. I caught myself eavesdropping and thinking “wow, she sure airs her dirty laundry out in public.” It was only then that I realized that this was what I had been doing for the last hour + that I had been there myself. It was just that her hair dryer got turned off right at the climax of her story and she was too heated to lower her voice so we all overheard her confessions to her hair stylist that were meant to be shared in private. I then started having flashes of my past visits to my beloved hair stylist and some of the intimate conversations I had had with her. I mean I had not ever thought about how much she knows about me. I proceeded to ask her “did you ever realize that you are all therapists?” Well, this was obviously not news to her as she answered my question with a chuckle and a “yes, sometimes people want an unbiased opinion or some encouragement or support.” That was what I had just, inadvertently, gotten from her. I had just shared some of my deepest secrets with this woman who while I had been seeing her for a couple of years I did not even know her last name! I always just go in there and unload whatever is ailing me at the time and somehow I leave not only with a spectacular “do” but a lighter heart and an added vote of confidence!

So the next time you come down on yourself (as we all sometimes do) about how much money you spend on your hair just remember this; you got a therapy session, an unbiased opinion and a dedicated friend for an entire couple of hours. It is actually quite a bargain!